2021-07-15 Thu

The Temple of Castor and Pollux is an ancient temple in the Roman Forum, Rome, and central Italy. It was originally built in gratitude for victory at the Battle of Lake Regillus (495 BC). Castor and Pollux (Greek Polydeuces) were the Dioscuri, the "twins" of Gemini, the twin sons of Zeus (Jupiter) and Leda. Their cult came to Rome from Greece via Magna Graecia and the Greek culture of Southern Italy.

The Roman temple is one of a number of known Dioscuri temples remaining from antiquity. The octastyle temple was peripteral, with eight Corinthian columns at the short sides and eleven on the long sides. There was a single cella paved with mosaics. The podium measures 32 m × 49.5 m (105 ft × 162 ft) and 7 m (23 ft) in height. The building was constructed in opus caementicium and originally covered with slabs of tuff which were later removed. According to ancient sources, the temple had a single central stairway to access the podium, but excavations have identified two side stairs.

Here is a Silver coin depicting the Dioscuri. The obverse of a coin shows the helmeted head of Roma, a denominational mark. While the reverse of a coin represents Dioscuri galloping.

Image Source: Wikipedia.org